When "The
Masters" was created, the other golf tournaments that existed:
(1) The U.S. Open
(2) The PGA (Professional Golfer's Association)

had never played in the
southern United States or what is termed "the deep South." So,
in 1934, Bobby Jones, a famous golfer who had come from the South and who had
also designed the golf course for the prominent and exclusive Augusta National
Golf Club, decided to start a golf tournament in Georgia. This is why The
Masters is held the first week of April every year in Augusta, Georgia.

Bobby Jones started
this with his best friend, Clifford Roberts who was also the chairman of the
Augusta National. He oversaw everything of the tournament for 43 years.

Bobby Jones was so
identified with "The Masters" that people flocked just to see him for
many years, until he gave up as a competitor himself. But, Bobby is the
one who is given credit for setting the standards for the behavior standards of
the spectators, that are still printed in the spectator's guides today. He
also is the one who set the precident for conducting the now traditional
interview with the new winner before presenting him with his Green Jacket (see
below for more information).

President Dwight D.
Eisenhower (1953-1961), often vacationed in Augusta and played golf at their
prestigious golf course. However, when he first played golf at the Augusta
National Golf Club it was in 1948 and he wasn't even president yet.
However, even after becoming the president, he went back there frequently on his
vacations, now drawing a crowd. Up until this time, golf had been consider
a sport for the elite. But President Eisenhower now made it a sport
for the common people.

When thinking of the
word "golfer" up until the most recent times with Tiger Woods, the
most common name in golf was Arnold Palmer. Mr. Palmer really gave The
Masters major publicity with his playing. Then came Jack Nicklaus and Gary
Player. Soon, Palmer, Nicklaus and Player were considered the "Big
3" in golf. From 1943 to 1958, the "Big 3" won 8 of those 9
years. Arnold Palmer won the first Masters Tournament. This decade
was considered "the golden age of golf" for many fans.

How
You Get To Play in The Masters?

First you have to
qualify (much like the Olympics). Qualifying rounds are held on Thursday and
Friday (of this 4-day event.) The top 44 finishers (don't ask me how they
got that number!) then go on to the final round. Then the top 24 are
automatically invited back next year and do not have to requalify.

The
Trophy and the Green Jacket

This is what the trophy looks like.
Click it to go to the official Augusta Page about it's history etc.

The Green Jacket
represents the green of well-kept grass. Over 300 members of the Augusta
National Golf Club (who come from all over America) wear blazers of this intense
green color. The jackets are NEVER to be removed from the club and are
kept there at all times. Not all members work on The Masters tournament.
But those that do are known as "The Green Jackets." And just
because you have a green jacket doesn't always mean you are a superior
golfer. They are just people who love the game of golf and are dedicated
to it.

When you win The
Masters tournament you get a green jacket also to symbolize your victory. It is
also a visual symbol that you are now accepted into the golf elite of the
world. The winner is allowed to take his Green Jacket home with him for 12
months, until the next tournament the following year. After that, it's
kept in the club.

Golf
and Racism

The Augusta National
Golf Club remained a white golfer's membership only until September 1990.
At that time, the first black member named Ron Townsend was admitted. Ron
was the president of Gannett Television Group.

But 20 years earlier, a
Mexican-American golfer named Lee Trevino turned down a membership offer to The
Augusta National Golf Club and refused to play in the tournament in 1970 and
1971 stating that he felt "uncomfortable in what remained a largely white,
southern organization." The PGA has now upgraded their membership
rules forbidding discriminatory membership practices.

Tiger
Woods

In 1997, at the age of
21 Tiger Woods won the Masters with a record of 270 strokes for 3 days. He was
the first African American to win The Masters, as well as the youngest. Since
Tiger's mother is Thai, some also feel he is the first Asian American to win the
tournament also, and wear a green blazer.

Tiger Woods also won
the Masters again in 2001. So, in 2002, Tiger was trying to set a record by
being the only golfer to win The Masters three times in a row. But, his hopes
faded right off and he ended up tied for 15th.

A new record set in
2003!Tiger Woods has won again in 2004!

Mike Weir and Len
Mattiace were tied! In a sudden-death extra hole, Mike Weir won. Mike Weir
(Candian) goes on record for being the first left-handed golfer to win.

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